Former ZIFA Board Member, Francis Zimunya Talks About Challenges Facing Zim Football & Possible Solutions

We had a chat with Former ZIFA Board Member & Northern Region chairman Francis Zimunya about the current state of Zim football, challenges and possible solutions . Check it out below:

You were one of the most prominent football figures within ZIFA before your suspension . Why were you suspended ?

I would like to put it on record that I was illegally suspended for preserving the ZIFA statutes and for fighting against corruption in ZIFA. I challenged the suspension which was quashed and lifted by both the high court ZIFA and FIFA.

Tell us about your football background and some of your responsibilities at ZIFA
I was a junior and senior football player and played for Rio Tinto and Black Aces F.C. I then became a qualified coach and coached Wightman, StateHouse Tornados, Darryn T, Caps United and Acardia United FCs. I was the Manager of silver medalist Olympic team at the 1995 all Africa Games. I was then elected chairman of ZIFA Mash East and Harare provinces. I then later became Chairman of the ZIFA Northern Region and became a ZIFA Board Member. I was then appointed the ZIFA National Technical Committee Chairman responsible for National Teams and football development.

What were some of your highlights during your tenure on the ZIFA board ?
Silver Medalist All africa Games, Qualified for the U 17 1998 AfCON in Guinea .Qualified for AFCON in Tunisia.

What legacy did you leave in the football arena ?
Built Nothern Region and Harare Provincial offices as a donation to ZIFA. Established Zimbabwe Crackers Soccer Academy for youth Academy that produced a galaxy of star players.

What do you think are some of the constraints derailing the growth and development of football in Zimbabwe?
Lack of Grassroot development structures coupled by lack of transparency and accountability

What are 5  things you feel should be dealt with or implemented to create an enabling environment for the growth and development of Zim football?
a) Training of grassroots development coaches.
b) Provide 240,000 soccer balls, 240,000 rubber and plastic balls and 10,000 tennis balls and training equipment for primary schools, area zones and districts.
c) Lack of Corporate and government funding in football development.
d) None existence of a football development strategy and policy.
e) None existence of football development structures.

What type of leadership is Zimbabwe Football looking for ?

Zimbabwe needs a vibrant, visionary and knowledgeable leadership that has gone through the mill.

You are credited for mentoring some of the countries biggest players who are mostly in the diaspora now . What was your formula ?
I did research and I identified the needs and wants of youths in disadvantaged communities and what Zim Football in general needed to enable us to become a power house in Africa and the world. Armed with that I formulated a strategy and i established a youth soccer academy that identified and developed talent from 8 years to 11 years.

Who are some of the footballers you assisted in building their careers?
South Africa based Tapuwa Kapini, Tendai Tanyanyiwa, Tinashe Nengomashe, Europe based Mike Temwanjiri, Cephas Chimedza, Rowan Nenzou, David Kutyauripo, Dumisani Mpofu, Benjani Mwaruwari etc.

What are your views on the current ZIFA debacle ?
We need a new all inclusive leadership at ZIFA that involves all generations of former players.

What are you doing to shape the Zim football landscape better?
We established Lifelong Footballers Trust that brings together all former players to come and work together to develop football in Zimbabwe.. And also to give hope And also to provide relief, hope and better life to current and former footballers through the establishment of pension, funeral, medical and rehabilitation funds.

How can people reach you ?
People can reach me on 0772 354 087, 263 716 739 709. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]